Lions Headlines

As the Raiders cycled six free-agent signees through conference calls with reporters Thursday, a recurring theme emerged:
Several players made reference to head coach Jon Gruden and his energetic personality - not just in passing, but as a factor in their decision to sign with Oakland.
"For me, what really attracted me was Jon Gruden," said linebacker Tahir Whitehead, formerly of the Lions. "Great guy in the league. Grew up watching some of the teams he's...

The Detroit Lions added depth in the backfield, signing LeGarrette Blount and re-signing Zach Zenner. Detroit signed both players Friday to compete with Ameer Abdullah and Theo Riddick for carries … Click to Continue

Review of board members appointed by interior secretary Ryan Zinke indicates they are likely to agree with his position that the best way to protect critically threatened or endangered species is by encouraging wealthy Americans to shoot some of them

Trophy hunters are packed on a new U.S. advisory board created to help rewrite federal rules for importing the heads and hides of African elephants, lions and rhinos. That includes some members with direct ties to President Donald Trump and his family. A review by The Associated Press of...

While the courtship and signing of receiver Jordy Nelson commanded attention Thursday, the Raiders also made a pair of quieter, yet significant, additions to their defense.
The Raiders signed former Texans safety Marcus Gilchrist and former Lions linebacker Tahir Whitehead, addressing two positions of need on a defense that ranked 23rd overall last season and is losing players in free agency.
Gilchrist, 29, currently projects as a replacement for free safety...

With his heavy New Orleans accent and parasol dances along the sideline after victories, Tom Benson cut quite the figure among NFL owners.
Benson, a successful auto dealer who brought the New Orleans Saints their only winning seasons and the "Benson Boogie," has died. Benson, who has also owned the NBA's New Orleans Pelicans since 2012, was 90.
The NFL and NBA teams announced Benson's death Thursday. He had been hospitalized since Feb. 16 with flu symptoms.
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It doesn't appear free-agent running back Frank Gore is returning to the 49ers, but he could be back at Levi's Stadium in 2018.
Gore, 34, is close to reaching an agreement with the Lions, USA Today reported Wednesday night. And a contract with Detroit could mean contact with the Bay Area: Detroit will visit the 49ers this season.
Since playing his last game with the 49ers during the 2014 season, Gore has spent the last three seasons with the Colts, who visited...

The Detroit Lions have bolstered their linebacker group with Christian Jones and Devon Kennard. Detroit signed both unrestricted free agents on Thursday. Jones and Kennard were starters for the Chicago … Click to Continue

The 49ers have reached a three-year deal with inside linebacker
Brock Coyle
, who played well down the stretch in 2017 in a fill-in role after the team released NaVorro Bowman.
In 2018, the 49ers could turn to Coyle to again step into a starting role. Inside linebacker Reuben Foster has been arrested twice in the offseason and could receive an NFL suspension this season. Last year, Coyle, a core special-teams player, was pressed into...

Instead of in a large, packed arena, it happened in cozy, less-than-half-filled McKeon Pavilion. Instead of a game played in 20-minute halves, it was played in 10-minute quarters.
Yes, St. Mary's 89-45 romp over Southeastern Louisiana on Tuesday night was a far cry from what the Gaels had wanted - and probably expected - last weekend; that is, an at-large berth in the NCAA Tournament.
Nevertheless, the Gaels' NIT victory did feature some significant school...

The 49ers may not be done signing former Seahawks cornerbacks coming off major leg injuries.
Two days after officially signing Richard Sherman, the 49ers have a free-agent visit scheduled Wednesday with DeShawn Shead, 28, the NFL Network reported. Shead is visiting the Lions today.
A 2012 undrafted free agent, Shead was released by the Seahawks on Monday after he missed the first 14 games of last year due to a torn ACL he sustained in a divisional-playoff game...

Barely more than 24 hours later, St. Mary's players reluctantly faced the reality of their omission from the NCAA Tournament.
They didn't have any choice, of course - not with a new three-point arc slapped on their court and a first-round NIT game rapidly approaching. The Gaels host Southeastern Louisiana on Tuesday night at McKeon Pavilion.
Still, center Jock Landale and his teammates were stung by their NCAA snub.
"We all expected to make it,"...